Dog Tags

Autobiographic in nature...

Clink, clank, clang

The first noises I heard when my dog tags hung on my neck

They looked cheap, aluminum made, hanging from ball chains

So long, they reached the middle of my chest

The military's version of one size fits all.

 

Name, SSN, blood type, religion

And then there's two of them!

One for your neck, one on a boot.

In case they can't find your head

They still can ID you.

Scrape, jangle, rattle

Constant noises that reminded you

Of the business you handled

ID, blood, religion and two

Death with the ball chains tangled.

 

As I moved on with my life

The tags were buried in a drawer

Only thing left from my years in strife

For them, I didn't care for

Neglected and forgotten in my mind.

 

Clink, clank, clang

The first noises my son heard when his dog tags hung on his neck

ID, blood, religion, two and one size still fitted all

Still cheap, aluminum made, hanging from ball chains

Which Death held, her guiding reins.

 

Scrape, jangle, rattle

My old tags, exhumed back on my neck

I still hate what their noises tattle

Yet I wear them so I don't forget

That part of me is now dancing with Death.

Author's Note

Everything for me here is true...

Reviews

[DaughterNature]

I love it. The sounds to begin the stanzas put the real feel of dog tags front and center for the reader, as does the repetition. I think the feel of this piece is pretty spot-on. The only two recommendations I have are: 1) in your 4th stanza, should it be "didn't care for" instead of "didn't cared for"? 2) in the 5th and 6th stanzas when you personify Death, would it be better if it were capitalized to demonstrate the personification? Wonderful!

[Al R. Arce]

Thanks! I made the changes you suggested! I always welcome your comments!

[MsJewel]

I can tell this is a deeply personal poem for you. Very well written. (My father passed away two years ago, I have his dog tags tucked away safely).

:) Julie